(19)
(11) EP 1 329 733 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
06.10.2004 Bulletin 2004/41

(43) Date of publication A2:
23.07.2003 Bulletin 2003/30

(21) Application number: 03008096.4

(22) Date of filing: 23.01.1998
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H02H 3/00, H02B 1/04
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

(30) Priority: 24.01.1997 US 788969
27.01.1997 US 789659
04.02.1997 US 794848
06.02.1997 US 796745
11.02.1997 US 799095
21.02.1997 US 804420
25.03.1997 US 827031
26.03.1997 US 825005

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
98903658.7 / 1012611

(71) Applicant: SQUARE D COMPANY
Palatine, Illinois 60067 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Brooks, Stanley J.
    Richmond, KY 40475 (US)
  • Dickens, James W.
    Lexington, KY 40503 (US)
  • Fleege, Dennis W.
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 (US)
  • Larson, Brett E.
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403 (US)
  • Fixemer, James V.
    Denton, NE 68339 (US)
  • Turner, Dauane L.
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52405 (US)
  • Wiese, Gregory S.
    Marion, IA 52302 (US)
  • Dvorak, Robert F.
    Mr. Vernon, Iowa 52314 (US)
  • Haun, Andy A.
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 (US)
  • Erger, Robert J.
    Swisher, IA 52338 (US)
  • Wong, Kon B.
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 (US)
  • Bettis, Charles D.
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402 (US)

(74) Representative: Grünecker, Kinkeldey, Stockmair & Schwanhäusser Anwaltssozietät 
Maximilianstrasse 58
80538 München
80538 München (DE)

   


(54) Arcing fault detection system


(57) A system for testing an arcing fault detection System in an electrical distribution network having a line conductor carrying an electrical signal between a power source and a load, the arcing fault detection system including a sensor coupled to the line conductor for monitoring the electrical signal and generating a sensor signal representing the electrical signal, the arcing fault detection system generating an arc-indicative signal in response to the sensor signal having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault. The testing system couples the sensor to a test line simultaneously with the line conductor and periodically produces a test signal on the test line. The sensor simultaneously monitors the test signal and the electrical signal and produces a sensor signal representing both the test signal and the electrical signal when the test signal is present on the test line. The arcing fault detection system generates an arc-indicative signal in response to the sensor signal associated with either the test line or line conductor having characteristics indicative of an arcing fault. A diagnostic test integrator evaluates the status conditions of the test signal and the arc-indicative signal and generates a trip signal to trigger the interruption of the electrical signal in response to certain status conditions of the test signal and the arc-indicative signal.






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